China: Free human rights activist Hu Jia

Human rights activist Hu Jia has been charged with 'inciting subversion', in what appears to be the latest attempt by the Chinese authorities to silence domestic activists’ public criticism of China's human rights record.

Hu Jia has been denied access to his lawyer, members of his family and medical treatment, including necessary daily medication for liver disease resulting from Hepatitis B infection.

His wife, Zeng Jinyan, is still under house arrest with their newborn baby. She is not permitted to leave their home and her telephone line and internet connection have been cut.

Update 16 January 2009 Hu Jia’s mother visited him on 15 January 2009. She said that he looked "okay." However, his family doctor is concerned that he needs new treatment for his liver disease, as his current medicine will be becoming less effective. Hu Jia’s mother has asked the prison to give him a check-up and let the doctor decide on a new course of medication.

Since Zeng Jinyan gave an acceptance speech on behalf of Hu Jia when he won the Sakharov prize, she has been refused permission to visit her husband. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted angrily to Hu Jia being awarded the prize by the European Parliament, saying it was "a gross interference in China’s domestic affairs."

Update: 17 December 2008 - Standing ovation for jailed Chinese dissident Hu Jia

The European Parliament has honoured jailed Chinese dissident Hu Jia in absentia with its top human rights award. The assembly gave a one-minute standing ovation on Wednesday as the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought was placed in front of an empty seat marking Hu Jia's absence. Watch a video message from Hu Jia's wife

Update: 27 August 2008

Hu Jia has been punished by the prison authorities for protesting against violations to his basic human rights and dignity. His punishment was to rake up leaves under the sun for seven hours a day. Furthermore, Hu Jia's weekly letter to his family has been confiscated since 1 August. His family is currently forbidden from visiting him.

Zeng Jinyan was put under house arrest from 8 - 23 August to prevent her from speaking out during the Olympic Games. The police put her and her baby under surveillance in a hotel room and stayed in rooms surrounding them. During this time, Zeng Jinyan was not able to access the news or contact any people.

Update: 3 April 2008

According to reports activist Hu Jia has been convicted of "inciting subversion" and sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in prison as a wave of repression against activists continues.

Update: 29 february 2008

There has been changes in Hu Jia's situation since we last reported it in the January/February 2008 Amnesty magazine. Hu Jia has now been given access to his family and a lawyer, although one lawyer continues to be blocked. The meetings are monitored by several police officers and they are not able to speak freely. His family are concerned that he seemed pale, under stress and speaking as if he was rehearsing a play.

Amnesty International remains concerned that the police are putting pressure on Hu Jia to confess to the crime of "inciting subversion".

The police have given Hu Jia medicine for his condition, however it is unclear exactly what this is and whether it is appropriate for his illness.

Background information

Hu Jia’s family were formally told of the charges by the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau (PSB) on 29 January. He is held at the Municipal PSB Detention Centre in Dougezhuang, Chaoyang district, Beijing. His lawyer, Li Jingsong, who is also being held under tight police surveillance, reportedly submitted an application for bail for Hu Jia on medical grounds in mid-January, but this was formally rejected by the police at the end of the month.

Hu Jia’s formal detention, after being held for months under house arrest, appears to be an attempt to prevent him from continuing with his peaceful human rights activities and to silence his public criticism of China’s human rights record ahead of the Beijing Olympic Games, due to be held in August 2008. It also sends a message to other Chinese activists not to engage in similar activities.

Prior to his formal detention, Hu Jia had publicly expressed concerns over human rights abuses by police in Beijing, including the arrest of activists without the necessary legal procedures. This included the case of land rights activist, Yang Chunlin, who is also detained on subversion charges. Politically-motivated subversion charges continue to be used to silence and imprison rights activists in China, including those like Hu Jia, who have been openly critical of China’s human rights record.

In November 2007, Hu Jia participated via webcam in a European Union parliamentary hearing in Brussels in which he stated that China had failed to fulfill its promises to improve human rights in the run-up to the Olympics.

Human rights activist Hu Jia has been charged with 'inciting subversion', in what appears to be the latest attempt by the Chinese authorities to silence domestic activists’ public criticism of China's human rights record.

Hu Jia has been denied access to his lawyer, members of his family and medical treatment, including necessary daily medication for liver disease resulting from Hepatitis B infection.

His wife, Zeng Jinyan, is still under house arrest with their newborn baby. She is not permitted to leave their home and her telephone line and internet connection have been cut.

Update 16 January 2009 Hu Jia’s mother visited him on 15 January 2009. She said that he looked "okay." However, his family doctor is concerned that he needs new treatment for his liver disease, as his current medicine will be becoming less effective. Hu Jia’s mother has asked the prison to give him a check-up and let the doctor decide on a new course of medication.

Since Zeng Jinyan gave an acceptance speech on behalf of Hu Jia when he won the Sakharov prize, she has been refused permission to visit her husband. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted angrily to Hu Jia being awarded the prize by the European Parliament, saying it was "a gross interference in China’s domestic affairs."

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